Economy of Ancient Egypt Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the act or practice of trading goods or services for other goods or services?

barter

What is a metal weight of about 3 ounces that had a set value?

deben

What describes the state of being under the control of another person and doing work under harsh conditions for little or no pay?

enslaved

What is a skill in one type of work called?

specialization Signup and view all the answers

What is the act of requiring people to pay money to the government for public use called?

taxation Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the economy of ancient Egypt? (Select one)

The economy relied mostly on growing crops for food and goods. Signup and view all the answers

What were the pharaoh's roles in the economy of ancient Egypt?

The pharaoh used the Cattle Count to measure how well the economy was doing. The pharaoh used taxes to pay workers for building roads and pyramids. The pharaoh was responsible for making sure the economy was strong for the people. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the economic system of ancient Egypt? (Select one)

The economy was a barter system that used debens as a standard measurement of value. Signup and view all the answers

What is the job description for someone who performed religious duties?

Priest Signup and view all the answers

What is the job description for someone who bought and sold goods?

merchant Signup and view all the answers

What is the job description for someone who made finished goods?

artisan Signup and view all the answers

What is the job description for someone who served in the army?

soldier Signup and view all the answers

What is the job description for someone who grew food crops and flax for linen?

farmer Signup and view all the answers

How did trade benefit ancient Egypt?

It allowed Egyptians to get materials and natural resources they could not produce. Signup and view all the answers

How were the economies of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia similar?

Both were based on a barter system. Both used a system of weights and measures. Both used enslaved laborers. Signup and view all the answers

What influenced Egyptian building projects?

Mesopotamian architecture Signup and view all the answers

What are the stepped pyramids of Egypt similar to in Mesopotamia?

ziggurats Signup and view all the answers

What region supplied wood to the ancient Egyptians?

Southwest Asia Signup and view all the answers

Which was used in the economies of both ancient Egypt and ancient Mesopotamia? (Select one)

enslaved workers Signup and view all the answers

How did trade affect ancient Egyptian culture?

The ancient Egyptians obtained items such as gold and silver. Signup and view all the answers

Who was responsible for the economy in ancient Egypt?

pharaohs Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary economic activity in ancient Egypt?

farming Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the command economy used by the ancient Egyptians? (Select one)

The pharaoh controlled the economy with help from government workers. Signup and view all the answers

How did debens help make trade easier in ancient Egypt?

They allowed for a consistent way to measure the value of an item. Signup and view all the answers

What items did Egypt get from Nubia through trade?

gold and silver Signup and view all the answers

Who controlled the economy in ancient Mesopotamia?

religious leaders Signup and view all the answers

What system was used by both ancient Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt to make trade easier?

weights and measures Signup and view all the answers

How did Mesopotamia influence the culture of the ancient Egyptians?

Mesopotamian architecture influenced the Egyptian pyramids. Signup and view all the answers

What was a result of Egypt's trade relationship with Mesopotamia?

Egypt gained access to various goods and cultural exchange. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Barter System and Economy

Barter involves trading goods or services directly without using money.
The economy of ancient Egypt primarily relied on agriculture, focusing on crop production for sustenance and trade.

Currency and Value Measurement

Deben was a metal weight, approximately 3 ounces, used to establish value in trade.
Trade transactions were often conducted using debens as a standardized measurement.

Economic Control and Leadership

The pharaoh played a crucial role in managing the economy, monitoring progress through methods like Cattle Count.
Taxation was employed by the pharaoh to fund public projects, including roads and pyramids.

Economic Roles and Specialization

Various societal roles contributed to the economy:
- Priests performed religious duties.
- Merchants engaged in buying and selling goods.
- Artisans crafted finished products.
- Farmers supplied food crops and flax for linen production.
- Soldiers served in the military.

Trade and Resources

Trade networks enabled Egyptians to acquire essential materials and resources not locally available.
Items imported included gold and silver from Nubia, enhancing wealth and cultural exchange.

Similarities with Mesopotamia

Both ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia operated under barter systems and utilized weights and measures.
Enslaved labor was a common aspect of both economies.
Mesopotamian architectural styles influenced Egyptian building practices, including pyramid construction.

Trade Impacts on Culture

Trade enriched Egyptian culture, providing luxury items like gold and silver which were used in crafts and religious practices.
Economic systems were managed by pharaohs and supported by bureaucracies, defining a command economy structure.

Agricultural Focus

Farming represented the primary economic activity, with a focus on sustaining the population and facilitating trade.

Trade Relations and Influences

Egypt’s trade relationships with regions like Nubia and Mesopotamia significantly impacted their economy and cultural developments.
The exchange through trade relationships resulted in the flow of valuable commodities and cultural practices between these ancient civilizations.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge of the economic practices and terminology of Ancient Egypt with these engaging flashcards. Learn key concepts such as barter, deben, and the condition of being enslaved in this fascinating historical context.